SBC  last week said it will reduce its workforce by 3,000 to 4,000 employees as part of a continuing effort to cut costs. The reduction will come through attrition and an enhanced retirement program, SBC said, and will prompt the regional Bell operating company to take a one-time charge of up to $150 million in the fourth quarter. SBC employs about 175,000 people, so the cuts would represent a 1.7% to 2.3% reduction in staff. SBC also said it is investing in "productivity improvements" that are expected to save $1.3 billion annually in expense and capital costs by 2006.

Time Warner Cable last week announced partnerships with MCI and Sprint that should help it roll out its voice-over-IP service across the U.S. Time Warner Cable introduced VoIP services in parts of Maine and North Carolina earlier this year. The agreements with Sprint and MCI will let Time Warner Cable "continue its aggressive rollout throughout next year," the company said. The service should be available in most U.S. markets by year-end 2004.